Intense clashes escalated between Russia and Ukraine last night, marked by a significant increase in long-distance strikes on both sides. President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that the attacks resulted in four fatalities and over two dozen injuries, including children, in Kyiv. Describing the assault as a deliberate act to maximize harm on civilians, he highlighted that around 430 drones and 18 missiles were deployed.
Zelensky condemned the damaging of the Azerbaijan Embassy by an Iskander missile, which also hit numerous residential buildings. The incident, causing multiple injuries, including children and a pregnant woman, was labeled as “wicked” by the Ukrainian president. Lawmaker Oleksiy Goncharenko criticized the attacks as “inhuman,” with city officials cautioning about potential power and water disruptions.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev emphasized Russia’s objective to breach Ukrainian defenses and target civilian infrastructure to exert pressure on the population during the harsh winter months. The aim is to destabilize Zelensky’s forces and potentially lead to further territorial losses. Medvedev highlighted the deteriorating energy grid due to Russian strikes, warning of electricity blackouts and a dire heating situation, placing Ukraine in a precarious position.
In response, Ukraine retaliated by inflicting significant damage on the key Russian port of Novorossiysk using locally-produced missiles and advanced drones. Explosions and massive fires erupted at the major oil loading facility, with reports of damage to a docked ship, residential buildings, and coastal structures. Ukrainian forces also targeted Putin’s 1537th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment, causing significant destruction to Russian air defense systems, including the S-300/S-400 SAM systems.
Additionally, a drone strike reportedly disrupted Putin’s Doomsday Radio, a historic station transmitting encrypted messages possibly related to Russian nuclear capabilities. Known for its cryptic broadcasts during times of global tension, the station, nicknamed The Buzzer, transmitted coded messages before going offline. These broadcasts, linked to Russian Strategic Forces networks, are believed to convey readiness signals rather than imminent launch orders.